Library Prem Nazir Built Destroyed In Fire, Sabotage Suspected

By SM.10 Feb, 2018

CHIRAYINKEEZHU: The library built by the late Prem Nazir in his native place was gutted in a fire, allegedly set off by anti-social elements. Local people, for whom the legendary actor had built the library, registered strong protest against the incident.

The library, for which Prem Nazir himself had laid the foundation stone in 1958, had in its collection thousands of books worth lakhs of rupees as well as toys and game items.

Block panchayat president R Subhash, who is also the chairman of the Prem Nazir Memorial Committee and CPI local committee secretary Anwar Shah demanded urgent measures to arrest the culprits. The CPI Kizhuvillam local committee also raised the same demand. Social and cultural activists as well as political leaders too condemned the incident. Chirayinkeezhu police have launched an investigation.

The local people had been demanding renovation of the library building to set up a digital library and digital film club.

Prem Nazir has always faced neglect after his death. Chirayinkeezhu lacks even a memorial for its great son. Apart from the library, Prem Nazir had also constructed the building in which the x-ray unit functions at Chirayinkeezhu taluk hospital. This building too is in a dilapidated condition.